Events

THE DEEP DIVE
Cacao Ceremony · Breathwork Journey · Sound Healing
with Tymi Howard Bender & Candace Blair

Friday, November 13th | 6:30–8:30pm
Early Bird: $55 | After November 10th: $65

Some evenings ask you to go deeper. This is one of them.

We begin by gathering in circle with ceremonial cacao, a heart-opening plant medicine honored for centuries. As the warmth settles in, we’ll set personal intentions for the journey ahead.

From there, we move into the breath. Guided by Tymi and Candace, you’ll explore a progression of breathing practices, from traditional yogic pranayama to deeper, more expansive holotropic-style breathing. Bandhas (energy locks) and intentional releases help stir, move, and clear stagnant energy in the body. The breath becomes the doorway to what’s ready to rise, release, and be felt.

Finally, we soften into stillness and sound. Wrapped in the vibrations of a sound healing journey, you’ll rest, integrate, and receive whatever the evening has opened.

Come curious. Leave lighter.

Kundalini Yoga & Gong Bath

with Candace Blair

Saturday, November 14th
6:30am – 8:00am
Early Bird: $35 | after Oct. 14th: $40
 
— Join Candace for this special sunrise experience which systematically awakens the body & your energy centers
through breath & movement.  This workshop includes breath work, active asana, a transformational Pluto gong bath for
savasana and an elevating mantra meditation.

The Art of Balance Series

with Danielle Giovonone

Fridays | 6:30–8:00pm Drop-in: $45 | Full 4-Part Series: $160


Change Your Mind About Balance

The Art of Balance workshops are designed to change your mind about balancing on your hands, head, and forearms.

Arm balances invite us to connect more deeply with our bodies — building trust, overcoming fear, and embracing playful challenge.

They offer an exciting way to add strength and refinement to your practice. These instructional workshops break down the mechanics of each pose, focusing on alignment and technique. You’ll learn step-by-step ways to enter each pose, creative transitions and modifications, and how to use props to make arm balances more accessible. Arm balances are progressive by nature — one pose often becomes the foundation for the next.

Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.

No arm balance experience is required.

This series welcomes beginners and experienced yogis alike who are thirsty for knowledge and ready to challenge themselves.

Join for one workshop or come for the whole series — each class stands on its own, and together they build a complete arm balance journey.


The Series

September 18 | Funky Flying Dolphin & Pincha Mayurasana

Forearm balances are challenging — but shift your mind in the approach, and you can shift your weight onto your forearms. Learn to strengthen and engage the back and shoulder muscles to create lightness on your forearms, while maintaining engagement through the core, glutes, and hamstrings to float the legs. Explore the importance of pelvic stability as you play with movement, balancing on one hand and one forearm at once. We’ll experiment with blocks to help access these poses while refining alignment and building strength through the shoulder girdle.

October 30 | Ganda Bherundasana (Chin Stand)

Demystify Ganda Bherundasana, exploring techniques to build strength in the shoulders, chest, and upper back.  Move through targeted backbend drills to increase spinal mobility and flexibility, while using active leg engagement to lift and balance. Discover how core engagement creates control and lightness, allowing your chin to simply “kiss” the mat. Blocks will provide alignment feedback, create a stronger foundation, and help develop the shoulder strength and stability the pose requires.

November 20 | Headstand

Turn your world upside down, and you just might see more clearly. Build strength in the shoulders, back, and arms to support your head and neck while balancing upside down. You’ll be introduced to different ways of entering the pose and how to come out using core strength, along with strength-building exercises for the shoulders and core that lift you away from the mat and take pressure off the head and neck.

December 11 | The Koundinyasanas (EPK I & EPK II)

Balancing on your arms while your legs extend in opposite directions may seem impossible — with the right mechanics, it isn’t. We’ll break down Eka Pada Koundinyasana I & II, exploring the biomechanics behind each pose: how deep core engagement works with the shoulders, arms, and back to create stability, and how hip rotation and pelvic positioning establish a strong foundation. Focus on lifting and extending the legs with control, creating the feeling of floating like a seesaw on your arms. Blocks will help refine alignment, build confidence, and develop the strength and body awareness these poses ask for.


Details

  
WhenFridays, 6:30–8:00pm
DatesSept 18 · Oct 30 · Nov 20 · Dec 11
Drop-in$45 per workshop
Full Series$160 (save $20)
Experience LevelAll levels welcome — no arm balance experience required

Stillness isn’t something you force. You arrive at it.

In this three-hour workshop, Steven Willard takes you there step by step. You’ll begin outside with a walking meditation, then come inside for a Mindful Flow with no music, no heat and very little instruction, just you, your body and your breath. A slow yin practice settles you into a body scan. From there the afternoon opens into breath awareness, meditation technique and heart-centered practice.

This is for anyone who has tried to meditate and decided they “can’t.” It’s also for anyone who sits regularly and wants a few new ways in. You’ll leave with simple tools you can use on the mat, at work, or whenever life gets loud.

Bring a journal, a pen, and a mala if you have one.

More than an ancient therapeutic exercise, Tai Chi increases your overall vitality – while enhancing your circulation,
flexibility, balance, mind-body awareness and stress management abilities.
It also provides a very practical and effective method of self-defense.
Suitable for all ages, this introductory class explores the history, philosophy
and benefits of this art and how it can be applied in the modern world. Students are taught
fundamental stances/postures and basic Chi Kung as they begin learningthe Wong style of Tai Chi.
No prior experience is necessary.
 
*This class is open to adults of all ages and all fitness levels.

Let It Be A Prayer In Motion. 

Join Steven Willard for Flow By Faith, a 75-minute exploration of asana and Christian contemplation.

Through mindful movement, breathwork, guided meditation, and moments of silence, we’ll slow down, quiet the noise, and make room to be fully present: in body, in breath, and in the presence of God. 🙏

Themes of grace, love, surrender, and presence will weave through the practice. No yoga or spiritual experience needed. Just come as you are.

🗓️ Saturday, November 14
🕓 4:00–5:15 PM
📍 James Island Yoga
✨ Regular class passes & packages apply

Your hips hold more than tension. They hold stories, stress, and emotions we’ve carried for years.

It’s time to let them move, release, and speak their truth.

Join Olga Hubych for an evening devoted to women’s hips: opening, unwinding, and

reconnecting with the power and softness that lives in your center.

Come as you are. Leave lighter. 

Sunrise Yoga at Trophy Lakes

A new collaboration with The Point Racket & Social Club

James Island Yoga is bringing sunrise flow to the water. Join us for an All Levels Yoga class overlooking the lake at Trophy Lakes — a peaceful, energizing way to start your day, now offered twice a week.

Class Details

  • Schedule: Every Saturday & Wednesday
  • Time: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
  • Location: The Point Racket & Social Club, Trophy Lakes
  • Start Date: Saturday, October 3rd
  • Level: All Levels Flow
  • Pricing: Regular class rates apply

What to Expect

Rise with the sun and move through a grounding, all-levels flow designed to welcome every body — whether you’ve been practicing for years or are stepping onto the mat for the first time. Surrounded by open sky and still water, this class is the perfect reset before your day begins.

What to bring: Just yourself. Feel free to bring your own mat, but we’ll have extras on hand if you need one.

Weather Policy

South Carolina mornings can be unpredictable. If class is cancelled due to weather, you will not be charged a late cancellation fee,

and your class credit will remain valid for 30 days.

Stay & Play

Courts open at 8:00 AM — right as class wraps up. Stick around and rally into a game of Padel with friends old and new.

Flow first, play second — the perfect way to spend your morning at Trophy Lakes.


Wayfarer Men’s Group — Monthly Gathering

First Sunday of every month · 6:30–7:30 PM · James Island Yoga


The Wayfarer Men’s Group is a monthly gathering for men who are ready to go a little deeper — into honest conversation, stillness, and real connection with other men.

Each gathering includes guided meditation and breathwork, a monthly topic for reflection, group conversation, and open discussion. No agenda, no performance. Just men showing up for themselves and each other.

Created by Luke Shirley of Quest

📅 Next Gathering: Sunday, November 1 · 6:30 PM
📍 James Island Yoga, Charleston, SC

Free to attend. No sign-up required. All men welcome.

*NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

300-Hour Yoga Alliance Approved Advanced Teacher Training

hosted by James Island Yoga | Charleston, SC

Lead Trainer: Tymi Howard Bender, 500 E-RYT

Ongoing Enrollment – Start Anytime

Unlock Your Potential as a Yoga Teacher

Ready to take your practice and teaching to the next level?

The Manifest Yoga 300-Hour Advanced Teacher Training is a transformational journey for yoga teachers and committed practitioners seeking growth, depth, and mastery. Refine your teaching, expand your toolkit, and connect with your authentic voice.


Program Overview

  • Yoga Alliance Certified (RYT-500 Eligible)
  • Flexible, Self-Paced Format: Complete 12 weekend modules at your own pace
  • Location: James Island Yoga, Charleston, SC (in-person only)
  • Who It’s For: RYT-200 certified teachers and serious practitioners
  • Option to Take Individual Modules: For continuing education or personal study
  • Weekend Schedule (Once per Month)

Fridays: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sundays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

2026–2027 Module Dates

2026: October 23–25, November 20-22, December 18-20.

2027: January 15-17, February 19-21, March 19-21, April 16-18,

May 14-16, June 18-20, July16-18, August 20-22, September 17-19…

What You’ll Learn

  • Advanced asana, sequencing, and assisting
  • Yoga philosophy, history, and subtle body science
  • Ayurveda, Yin Yoga, Myofascial Release, Thai Yoga, Acupressure
  • The business of yoga: branding, marketing, workshop creation
  • Holistic wellness: nutrition, music, psychotherapy-informed teaching
  • Meet Your Teachers

Led by Tymi Howard Bender, 500 E-RYT, and supported by guest faculty from around the globe. Each instructor brings thousands of hours of expertise to help you grow with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.

Certification

RYT-500 Certification upon completion

Must attend required in-person hours, complete homework, and submit all assignments

Investment

  • Deposit: $300 (non-refundable, secures your spot)
  • Option 1 – Pay in Full: $300 deposit + $4,500 tuition
  • Option 2 – Payment Plan: $300 deposit + 10 monthly payments of $500

Please note: All deposits, fees, and tuition payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

How to Apply

  1. Schedule your one-on-one application meeting with Tymi (Zoom or in person).
  2. Email: tymi.howard@gmail.com

    Subject line: 300 Hour YTT Application

Questions?

Reach out with any questions or to discuss if this training is right for you. We’re here to support your unique journey.

200 Hour Manifest Yoga Teacher Training
at James Island Yoga

Charleston, South Carolina | WINTER 2027

With Tymi Howard Bender & Guest Faculty

Training Dates

Duration: 4-Month Intensive (8 Weekend Modules | meets every other weekend)
Start: Friday, February 5th, 2027
Graduation: Sunday, May 16th, 2027

Weekend Schedule:

Fridays: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (occasional 6 AM start)
Sundays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

 

Training Weekends:

September 11th-13th, 25th-27th

October 9th-11th, 23rd-25th

November 6th-8th, 20th-22nd

December 4th-6th, 18th-20th

 

What to Expect:

Step into your power, discover your purpose, and elevate your yoga journey. Led by renowned teacher Tymi Howard Bender, this Yoga Alliance-certified training blends modern techniques with deep roots in ancient yogic traditions. You’ll explore not only Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, and Pranayama, but also holistic practices such as Ayurveda, Myofascial Release, Nutrition, and more.

Expect rich exploration in:

Yoga Teaching Techniques
Meditation & Journaling
Biomechanics, Assisting, & Adjusting
Yoga Philosophy & Ethics (Yoga Sutras, Hatha Yoga Pradipika)
Anatomy & Physiology (including energetic systems)
The Business of Yoga
Practice Teaching with Peer & Instructor Feedback
Graduates are eligible for 200-hour RYT certification with Yoga Alliance.

Investment:

– Option 1 – Payment Plan:

$300 non-refundable deposit + $3,300

$300 Deposit + 4 monthly payments of $825 

Total: $3,600

– Option 2 – Pay in Full:

$300 non-refundable deposit + $3,000

Total: $3,300

All fees and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Graduation Requirements:

Attendance of all required contact hours
Completion of homework, practice teaching, and virtual/non-contact hours
Full payment of tuition
Consistent attendance & professionalism expected